Monaco: landmarks, animals & facts for kids

Monaco is a tiny independent country on the Mediterranean coast of Europe, surrounded on land by France and close to the Italian border. Its capital is also called Monaco. With an area of about 2 square kilometres, it is the second-smallest country in the world after Vatican City, and the most densely populated. Monaco is a principality ruled by a prince from the Grimaldi family, and it is famous for its harbour full of yachts, its casino and its Formula One race.

On My Earth Toy you can see the Circuit de Monaco, where the Monaco Grand Prix is held. Instead of a purpose-built track, the cars race through the narrow streets of the city, past the harbour and through a tunnel.

Geography and nature

Monaco sits on a steep, rocky strip of the French Riviera, where the mountains drop straight into the sea. Its districts include the old town on the Rock, Monte Carlo and the port of La Condamine. Because space is so limited, Monaco has built new land out into the sea and many buildings climb up the hillside. The highest point is only 162 metres. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

People, languages and culture

French is the official language, and Monégasque, a traditional local language related to the dialect of Genoa, is taught in schools. Most people are Catholic. Only a minority of residents are Monégasque citizens; many people from France, Italy, Britain and elsewhere live there. The Oceanographic Museum, built into the cliffs, was once led by the ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Besides the Grand Prix, Monaco hosts the Monte-Carlo Rally and a famous circus festival.

History in a nutshell

Ancient Greek sailors named the place after a temple to Heracles Monoikos. In 1297 François Grimaldi captured the fortress on the Rock, and the Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco for most of the time since then. In 1861 Monaco gave up most of its land, the towns of Menton and Roquebrune, to France. Soon after, a casino was opened in Monte Carlo, which brought visitors and wealth. The first Monaco Grand Prix took place in 1929, and Monaco joined the United Nations in 1993.